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Biographical details

Professor Peter Sharp's career began with completing a BAgSc(Hons), majoring in Plant Breeding and Genetics at the University of Adelaide, and doing a PhD in genetics at the same university. He was employed at the Plant Breeding Institute in Cambridge (UK) for 6 years and joined the University of Sydney in 1989. Peter Sharp was appointed as a Professor of Molecular Plant Breeding in 2003.

Peter Sharp has gained recognition as a world leader in plant and molecular genetics and plant biotechnology, particularly in the application of the latest advances in basic research for the improvement of commercial crops. He is the Director of the University of SydneyÕs Plant Breeding Institute, that has two sites, at Cobbitty near Sydney, and at Narrabri, in the north-west of NSW.

Research interests

He is interested in molecular plant breeding to improve not only quality of the crops, but also to increase adaptation of the varieties. His research is focused wheat genetics and is in two main areas: the identification and use of molecular markers in wheat breeding, and the identification of useful genetic variation in wheat. The molecular marker work is largely on identification of molecular markers linked to quality and disease resistances. His work to identify sources of variation has been concentrated on starch properties, but has expanded to other traits. In addition to molecular marker technology, heuses the tools of TILLING (mutagenesis coupled with high through-put SNP screening), and proteomics as tools in finding and following genetic variation.

2012

Capacity building to support research and plant breeding at the I.A. Watson Grains Research Centre; Sharp P; Grains Research and Development Corporation/Research and Development: Germplasm Enhancement.

2011

Enhanced Capacity of Wheat Production in Punjab for increased Food Security in Pakistan; Sharp P, Khan A; Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID)/Public Sector Linkages Program (PSLP) Asia.

2004

Australian Paprika: Breeding & Industry Development; Sharp P, Derera N; Rural Industry Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)/Research and Development Grants.

Chemical, physical and genetic basis of noodle quality. Component 4: Enhancement of germplasm to improve noodle quality of Australian wheats; Sharp P; Grains Research and Development Corporation/Research Grants.

Attending The X11th Eucarpia Meeting on genetics and breeding of capsicum and eggplant; Sharp P; Rural Industry Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)/Research and Development Grant.